Learning and development specialist takes the helm at the MTC's Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre

A training and development specialist, with particular expertise in the engineering sector, has been appointed as managing director of Warwickshire’s new state-of-the-art training facility; the MTC’s Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre, at Ansty Park, near Rugby.

Paul Rowlett will head up the growing team of experts at the flagship centre, where a new generation of engineers will learn and put into practice the skills needed by the high value manufacturing sector to stay globally competitive.

He brings extensive experience of delivering development solutions across the engineering sector, where his focus has been on devising bespoke commercial training programmes to meet the key business drivers of automotive and engineering organisations.

As director of training at VT Education and Skills – a national provider of education support services – Paul created an automotive training provision for both the internal VT business and the external market, aligning training to manufacturing. During this time he secured an extended contract to deliver branded apprenticeship training for the six brands of Volkswagen Group UK (VW/Audi/Skoda/Seat/VW Commercial/Bentley) across a range of disciplines.

At Babcock International Group as engineering training director, he established a core automotive training capability that is now the largest provision in the sector, working with over 17 manufacturers including BMW, Volkswagen Group (Audi, VW, VW Commercial, Skoda, Seat, Bentley), Fiat, Ferrari, Hyundai and Mazda, John Deere and Subaru. He was also responsible for managing the delivery of training and apprenticeship programmes for key accounts across the nuclear, rail and manufacturing sectors; including EDF Energy, Network Rail and BAE Systems.

Rowlett recognises the importance of working closely with companies from the outset to understand their drivers, so the most effective training appropriate for their business can be developed to maximise their return on investment and enable them to grow.

He explains:

"It is essential that apprenticeships develop competence and capability so they are fit for purpose and match the skill needs of our customers. Many small and medium-sized companies simply cannot afford the four-year investment costs of apprentices; and fully skilled workers are attracted by the larger players – often at salaries that smaller companies just cannot match.

"At the MTC’s Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre we help SMEs and large employers alike, working in close collaboration with them from day one to ensure our apprenticeships provide a work-ready, skilled technician or engineer who has already demonstrated their capabilities and suitability to the organisation as part of their training. This saves employers time and resources trying to train and manage the development of new apprentices in-house.

"With a continued shortfall in engineering skills - compounded by many in the profession reaching retirement age - the sector is crying out for new employees skilled in future technologies; skills that will strengthen their business and enable them to compete internationally.

"We have a tremendous opportunity to equip a new generation of engineers with the ability to use tomorrow’s technologies productively - and to redefine what engineering is; and can be in the future. Helping to lead this change in perception by delivering apprenticeships that inspire and develop these skills to futureproof UK manufacturing, is a hugely exciting opportunity for me."

The MTC’s Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre welcomed its second cohort of apprentices in September and will be officially opened in November.

Part of the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) Group and located on the same campus at Ansty Park, the purpose-built training centre has been designed to provide premium training – from apprenticeship programmes, through engineer up-skilling courses and graduate development programmes, right up to executive level training.

Lloyds Bank is contributing £5m as part of its commitment to ensuring the UK manufacturing industry retains its competitive edge. Over 1,000 people will be trained at the centre, including apprentices, engineers on conversion courses, graduates and students studying short courses.

As part of their training, apprentices have the opportunity to learn alongside world-leading experts and prominent academic partners in the sector. With access to some of the UK’s major global manufacturers who make up the 85 members of the MTC, apprentices will be able to gain valuable experience from working on projects that are redefining manufacturing techniques of the future.

As manufacturing technology advances, the MTC’s Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre will develop the abilities and knowledge required to strengthen the skills supply chain and meet the challenges faced by the sector.

Any manufacturing organisation that would benefit from having a highly-trained apprentice from the new training centre within their business should contact Dan Pearson dan.pearson@the-mtc.org to find out how they can access the new training centre’s apprenticeship service.